The NY Rangers put 40 shots on the Montreal Canadiens and Sam Montembeault, but could only must one goal in a disappointing loss in a clear trap game. The stat line may have favored the Rangers all game, but it was clear something was missing this game. It was almost a repeat of their dramatic comeback the other night against Dallas, another game where they looked off.
It’s easy to blame the injuries for the loss last night to Montreal. After all, the Rangers were without Chris Kreider, who plays a key role on the top line and on the top powerplay unit. Instead, the struggling Alexis Lafreniere, who has yet to show he should stick in the top six, is filling in for both roles. He, like most of the other Rangers, hasn’t done much in the last two games since his promotion.
Lafreniere is not and should not be the scapegoat, as most of the Rangers skaters have been slow and borderline bad the last two games. It just illustrates there are more issues with his game that maybe can’t be fixed with more ice time or better linemates. His confidence appears shot, and there needs to be a real epiphany in him and the Rangers if this is going to work.
The Blueshirts have a similar game on Monday against Columbus to wrap up the back to back. They blew a chance to get an easy four points, and now need to salvage this with just two.
Habs 1, Rangers 0
The Rangers had a shorthanded 2-on-1 that missed wide, which sprung the Canadiens on a 3-on-2 the other way. K’Andre Miller had to take the man driving the net, which left Kirby Dach wide open ahead of the back check. It wasn’t for lack of effort or a defensive breakdown on this goal against, just a simple hockey play and perfect execution by the Habs.
That said, Jacob Trouba should know better and should know the situation. This is one of those situations where the shot needs to be on net, preferably short side, to avoid that easy breakout the Habs had.
Rangers 1, Habs 1
The Rangers had a 6-on-5 with the delayed penalty, and the Habs gave Artemi Panarin way too much room to work with after he collected Filip Chytil’s loose puck. Once Panarin crossed to the other side of the ice, he shot back across his body with too much room in front of him. He rarely misses those opportunities.
Habs 2, Rangers 1
K’Andre Miller simply had some bad luck on this, apparently leaving the puck behind him behind the net as the Rangers transitioned to offense. That left Jonathan Drouin wide open in front as the Rangers couldn’t get back to cover him in time.
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